Remember that time 4 years ago when we were inches away from a fascist election disaster? And we voted hard and avoided that disaster by mere inches? And then all the Black people said "Great! Here's how we can make sure that we never come this close to disaster again?" And all the white people we voted in power, mostly ignored us?
And Biden told us to STFU? And threatened to fire any of his staffers that talked to insurrectionist and said things like "Being an insurrectionist is bad?"
1/1
And Biden acted like the big problem was not rising fascism or open attacks on the institution of US democracy but that there wasn't enough "civility in politics" anymore? And that we're all guilty of incivility?
Remember that garbage?
And remember how right after the "Black women will save us!" election, and all the promises of "We'll fix it after the election!" All we got was a few more "Black faces in high places" but we got *even more racist* on police reform and wealth inequality?
2/N
Having feelings of existential dread about US elections every 4 years, is a choice, and not a good one. We don't need to do this every 4 years.
We could just listen to some of the Black people that we so depend on to protect us all from doom.
I told you 4 years ago, that if Biden screws up this gift of an election win, that Black men would not show up for him again in 2024. People who read about Black folk, but don't know Black folk, tried to write little tweets about why I was wrong.
3/N
We literally put the entire planet at risk, because we don't want to listen to or be kind to Black people in the US. It's silly.
I've pointed out before many times, that Black men did not "turn to Trump." What happened was that out of 100 Black men voters, 20 Dem voters decided that they would never vote for Biden again. So instead of an 80/20 Dem/GOP split, we were headed for a 60/20 split, with 20 sitting out.
20/100 is 20% support for GOP historically
20/80 is 25% support for Trump
4/N
My humble suggestion, is that we don't give the entire planet adrenal fatigue again for the next 4 years. Let's get it right this time.
I say that Harris ran the best campaign in US election history, because she closed the gap and took the lead in such a short period of time. And her communication was so sharp. And because she was able to reverse the fortunes and win back most of those disillusioned Black men voters, despite what white press tells you about her having a problem with Black men.
I'm not into brinkmanship. I don't think that's a good strategy. Because sometimes you have to see it through.
So I don't like brinkmanship. But I'm a wealthy, happy, comfortable Black man. Most Black men in this country are not wealthy, happy, or comfortable. And none of us are safe. Much less to lose.
Black voters don't trust you. In particular, Black men voters. "We'll fix it after the election!" Is a lie told one time too many. "We will protect you from the racists!" is also a lie.
5/N
@mekkaokereke I understand brinksmanship through the lens of, Dem voters and donors have divergent interests and the party serves donors first.
The party’s goal is to give the voters enough policy concessions to win an election — and not a bit more.
Trump being awful is great for the party because it worsens the voters’ BATNA and drives them back to the table.
I’m not strictly wedded to this interpretation, but I do think it explains a lot of things that are otherwise mystifying.
@mekkaokereke For example, why don’t Dems go harder against voter suppression?
Because that would empower parts of their coalition who are not aligned with the donor class.
@fivetonsflax @mekkaokereke I will charitably suggest that a lot of Dems don't recognize voter suppression as a real problem. "What's the big deal?" they say, as they cheerfully register to vote at the same address they've had for eight years, then vote early, and wake up the next day without worrying if any of it made a difference.
@pawsplay @mekkaokereke You’re eliding the distinction between the party and its voters, which is exactly what I’m trying to draw attention to here.
@fivetonsflax @mekkaokereke The "party" as such consists of a bunch of motivated individuals, who, as I note, enjoy a lot of privilege.
@pawsplay @mekkaokereke This is a great analysis if your goal is mystification and demobilization. Those aren’t my goals so I have no use for it.